How to Check Your Car Oil

Whether you’re from Greensboro or High Point, as a concerned car owner, you understand just how important regular oil changes are. Your vehicle needs clean oil to achieve a smooth performance on the road, but motor oil also acts as a lubricant that protects the engine’s internal parts from rusting over. The service department at Terry Labonte Chevrolet is your go-to resource for all things maintenance, so if you’re wondering how to check car oil at home, we’ve got you covered! Keep reading to learn how easy it is to monitor your car’s oil level and oil consistency, so you can enjoy flawless performance every day.

How to Check the Oil Level in a Car in Four Steps

Depending on how new your vehicle is, it may have a convenient electronic oil life monitor that will tell you when your car’s oil is low or dirty. Keep in mind if you have an electric vehicle your car doesn’t need need oil changes. If your vehicle uses a traditional dipstick, learning how to check car oil with it is simple! It can be done in just four steps:

1. Park your vehicle on even ground. Allow the engine to cool off completely before you open the hood.
2. Once the engine has cooled down, pop the hood and locate the oil dipstick. It will usually have a plastic yellow tab on the end to pull it out without getting oil on your hands.
3. Remove the dipstick and use a rag or paper towel to wipe off all the oil.
4. Re-insert the dipstick completely, then remove it one more time but don’t wipe the oil off. Check both sides of the dipstick to see the oil level.

Your car’s oil dipstick will either have a crosshatched area or two straight lines towards the bottom, indicating the proper oil level. If the top of the oil streak falls between the marker lines or within the crosshatching, your oil level is where it should be. If it’s not, you’ll need to top off the oil.

If you need to add more oil, check the consistency and appearance of the current oil before doing so. Rub a bit of it on your finger; if it’s very thick or is dark in color—clean oil is golden-yellow, like honey—you probably need to schedule a full oil change rather than topping off the oil. It’s best not to let your car run on dirty oil because the lubricating properties may have been compromised.

Check Your Car’s Oil to Avoid Major Oil Leaks

Now you know how to check the oil level in a car, but why should you check it in the first place? As you know, conventional oil changes are recommended every 7,500 to 10,000 miles, and synthetic oil changes typically occur less often. In between oil changes, it’s important to check the oil level and quality at least once per month because it will alert you early-on if there are any issues. If the oil is extremely low, you’ll know that there’s probably a leak that needs to be addressed. Or, if the oil is very dirty despite being changed just recently, there might be an underlying engine problem you need to fix. Either way, you don’t want to risk waiting too long.

Is Your Oil Change Light Stuck?

Did you recently get an oil change, but your oil service warning light won’t turn off? If you’ve checked your oil and everything looks good, you probably just need to reset the oil light. The process may vary a bit between makes and models, but here is what it typically involves:

• Turn on your car so that only the engine is running. (All other systems should be turned off.)
• Look for the “reset” button or stick near the speedometer and fuel gauge.
• Press and hold the reset button until the oil light flashes or otherwise indicates that it is resetting. Release the button.
• Turn the ignition off and leave the car off for several seconds. Turn the engine on again and the oil light should be off.

Need Oil Service? Schedule a Service Visit with Us!

If your car’s oil doesn’t look right or you can’t get your oil change light to turn off, Terry Labonte Chevrolet can help. Contact us or schedule a service visit to get started! Our team can get you back on the road in a timely manner. If you’re looking for more simple service tips, check out our online service information center! There, you can learn how to calculate gas mileage and more.